Exploring an Abandoned Boarding School: Crumbling for 30 Years

In this video, we explore a massive abandoned college that has been decaying since closure 30 years ago! The building contains dated architecture and excessive deterioration that is making renovation a difficult process.
SUBTITLES AVAILABLE
Help support the channel -
/ urbandoned
www.urbandoned...
paypal.me/urba...
Other links -
www.urbandoned...
/ urbandoned_
ur...
/ discord
/ urbandoned
/ @urbandoned
Our urbex library -
• Exploring an Abandoned...
abandoned urbandoned derelict urbex explore exploring uk college cotton staffordshire stoke-on-trent stoke school boarding hall ruin decay natural gym gymnasium documentary video walkthrough

[@vinceowen99]

I loved this place. Student from 1984 to 1990. Although it has become dilapidated, I have lots of good memories of the place and I'm sure other ex-students do too. Vosene.

[@pieterathmer]

I also loved watching this and recognising all the places despite the wear and tear. You got your years a bit mixed up Vosene - but hey, it's been a long time. Cotton closed in 1987...

[@vinceowen99]

:) You're right Piet - 1979-86?@@pieterathmer

[@atomheart3136]

Many bittersweet memories as a pupil here from 1969 - 1976. I have never returned as I could not face it but this video brought back so much. I am staggered that I remember even the slightest detail, where each part lay and its purpose. There is a book about the history of Cotton written by a former master Frank Roberts which is an excellent account of the story that was Cotton College. Well done on this production, you did an excellent job.

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you for the kind comment

[@pieterathmer]

Love it, thanks. I went to this place from age 13 to 19. I had a great time.

[@peterthorpe903]

I'm sure I'm not the only one to leave such a comment here, but I went to this school. It's very sad to see the level of decay.

[@rickacampbell-young17]

Amazing how nature takes over without asking permission...

[@MrPhilknott]

i was apupil there- crazy footage- the gym. its nuts- overgrown. brillant- nice on

[@davehanson7764]

Amazing video and so nice to see an abandoned place with no graffiti or vandalism, its been stripped of anything useful over the years but its a place I could spend some time exploring in

[@Urbandoned]

We agree! Due to it's location, it hasn't received any vandalism really, despite being vacant for more than 30 years!

[@borisbosnjak4812]

Beautiful drone footage in this episode :-) I can't help but feel a bit sad at seeing abandoned buildings like this that once rang with the chatter and bustle of so many people, so many memories and lives that criss-crossed these halls, rooms, courtyards, and buildings. Where are all those people now? What might they remember of those days?

[@Urbandoned]

It's a great way of looking at it. Such a shame that the people that might recognise this building and others from their time here will have to see it like this. Thank you - the drone footage is probably our favourite yet.

[@nickyboam3406]

Such a shame that these beautiful buildings are allowed to fall into ruin & even more so when they get so bad they fall prey to the demolition squads. There's a former stately home I pass daily which is now just a shell. Still looks impressive from a distance. Sutton Scarsdale Hall. Can be seen from the M1 between J29 & 29a. Was purchased by a wealthy American who stripped it of its old fixtures. I believe even sold the lead from the roof. It's very close to Hardwick Hall where I grew up & also Bolsover Castle. (Bolsover Castle was infact built as a house in the style of a castle also visible from M1 between J29-29a) Keep up the good work guy's it's great to see the younger generations taking interest. Maybe can work to save a few of these beautiful bits of architecture

[@timyorke4465]

Loved it. A building that long abandoned with no real signs of vandalism is beautiful to see. This video had a distinct “a world without humans” vibe throughout which is quite rare

[@Urbandoned]

Totally - almost as if the apocalypse had taken place

[@zd7972]

So glad this building hasn’t been trashed and vandalised. Amazing to see the level of care taken with the architecture and nature reclaiming the building. Keep it up!

[@Urbandoned]

We will do - that's certainly one of the best parts about this place - the lack of human destruction

[@MrPhilknott]

the other large room. with peeling. paint. was where we ate- the bricked up small arch lead to the kitchens and the larger door lead to cloisters badge and classrooms etc

[@kpurban1310]

One of the thoes structures that, although empty, still captivates you.

[@Urbandoned]

Definitely :)

[@markthomas1663]

This old building has been given back to nature amazing

[@Urbandoned]

It's quite stunning :)

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

This is so impressive, thank you for showing us I am blown away by the size and beauty. I do hope some if not all can be saved. Central California Watching

[@Urbandoned]

Hello! Thanks for watching

[@anjachan]

you make pretty nice relaxing videos! I like old buildings.

[@kristensorensen2219]

Would be something back when it was new. The old photos are great.

[@Urbandoned]

Appreciate it :)

[@ianbales3436]

Nice find, what a beauty!

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you very much

[@carolinehoward180]

I absolutely love this video. Old buildings like this should be saved. The architecture is stunning and once gone its gone. We don’t build with the same beauty, skill or proportions. I was schooled in old buildings like this and they are very special...both for the way the light enters and the ghost stories. Lol Thanks for posting.

[@Urbandoned]

It's a shame that students can't experience these sorts of buildings anymore. Even if they are old, the inside tends to lack the same architecture due to modernisation.

[@michailokeefeMooMoo]

Another great video . I would like to see more of old buildings like churches old factories and schools and old orphanages or old bombed out villages

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the suggestion, we will look into finding more of those sites

[@nataliesmith303]

Such a great find. Great video guys, loved the ending with the drone footage 😀

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you, the ending was one of my favourites I've edited

[@chrisdoney8578]

Great explore and thanks for sharing. Loved the drone footage 👌. With regards to future explores you asked the question about older emptier historic ruins and if you should do more of them. From a personal perspective I love the industrial/commercial explores of buildings that might or might not be historic, the contents of and the recent history of a manufacturing country really interest me... seeing machines that might have been operating in the 80's, 90's, even early turn of the millennium. I might be biased as have worked in large factories and warehouses many moons ago. Regardless I think the vids are great and enjoy them whether it be an old school, hospital, leisure building or industrial site. Stay safe and keep at it fellas 👍

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the extensive comment - we will look into finding more ruins that have some character remaining, as well as manufacturers. Appreciate the consistent support, too!

[@mohammednadeemanwar2213]

It's all fenced up, preparing for gutting out. Retaining all external walls and converting in luxurious apartment. Complex. With 205 additional apartments on the estate. According to AEW architects. Who do major projects. Will be good to see it fixed up.

[@lucatisa4667]

Great vid guys🤟🏼

[@Urbandoned]

Much appreciated mate

[@bigdave12345567890]

a good mixture of all types of exploring is proberly the best way to go . when we are out we checkout everything in the area even if it could be a shed or stable , some of our most interesting finds are from small sites everything from citoren 2cv's to traction engines .. also less likely to have been wrecked , tho would need to string 4-6 together to make a decent vid ..

[@paulollerhead941]

The line between urban exploring and archeology blurs here

[@lizstevenson7801]

What a beautiful building, such a shame it has been left to just decay. Your request to what we prefer to see you explore. I am happy to see all old buildings. Thank you.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the feedback - we prefer old too so it's definitely more likely you will that

[@bruceaisher]

Great drone shots lads!

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you

[@BeyondthePoint]

Mad shots in there!

[@Urbandoned]

Nice one :)

[@LiamS94]

Cheers for the feature lads :) Really nice drone shots in this. In larger rooms, you could probably use it to record the interior as long as nobody's in earshot...

[@Urbandoned]

We would love to in the future :)

[@dwrowley]

great video, the decay was amazing , shame it's got in to this state

[@Urbandoned]

So tragic! Glad you liked our video

[@survivalteamzero1741]

Fantastic, beautiful video there mate! We're based in Shropshire!

[@Urbandoned]

Much appreciated

[@alibob1986]

Love your channel!!! I live vicariously through your urbexing 😂 Regarding what sort of buildings you should feature...I'm honestly torn on that. It really depends on the building itself and what's left. If it's still got some fairly cool features here and there (the chalkboard and the basketball hoop being examples on this explore) those are pretty cool. Completely empty and devoid of any character - not for me. I love the little features here and there that show what the building used to be used for and that let you imagine all the lives that passed through, that's my personal take on it. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the great feedback and appreciate the fact our videos allow you to explore with us :)

[@abandonedexploringmike]

Wow that place looks amazing an I think thy shouldn’t knock them down

[@Accio_Eloise]

you sound like a Stokie, would I be right in thinking that? this is a stunning video!! Well done. subscribed.

[@PaulStephenOutdoors]

Amazing. I enjoyed watching that. ATB :)

[@Urbandoned]

Thankyou

[@lucatisa4667]

Yea I do think old buildings should be kept and restored!

[@Urbandoned]

Agreed!

[@anjachan]

to many buildings have a bad history but are still used. I think they should give the buildings a good future!

[@johorrocks8927]

Was good to see natural decay without rooms trashed and water damaged..was refreshing not to see all the usual graffiti..must of been pretty special in its day..love the way nature has claimed it back, really peaceful too..fantastic building. It makes me think that St Joseph's Seminary will look like this soon.

[@Urbandoned]

St Joseph's is decreasing massively every day, so we wouldn't be surprised if nothing happens it sadly will look similar.

[@1258-Eckhart]

The "main hall" at 9:36 is the school refectory. A good feel of the place when in full use is given by John Cornwell's memoir "Seminary Boy" (2006), which I have just read. This video is one of the better, more professional and more sensitive videos made on the ruined school. Other videos are more about outwitting the site security or more accurately the self-appointed gatekeepers than about the buildings - you left it to a short, laconic comment that you "weren't alone" on the site (with dogs barking). Cotton is of course very remote (part of its charm) and I wouldn't want it to share the fate of its sister foundation Alton Towers, first an amusement park (1923), then a US-forces barracks in WW II, after all that a ruin. But surely the UK could have found a use for such inspiring buildings - maybe as an art college, with artists in residence as well as teachers? BTW one of the reasons for its remotenes is the closure of the railway by the awful Beeching in 1964. The local station is Oakamoor. Sometimes I think that the UK is more interested in decline.

[@PyrateAsylumParanormalAgency]

Great explore.... This Pyrate salutes you.... #PyrateRulz

[@Urbandoned]

We salute you back

[@CJUrbex]

i saw a car at the main entrance gates tell me u didnt park there haha :P cool vid and defo a really cool photogenic place :)

[@Urbandoned]

Not us! Cheers buddy

[@graemerennie490]

That place reminds me of Hogwarts from Harry Potter

[@Urbandoned]

It reminded us of Hogwarts too!

[@anjachan]

yeah! xD

[@alanphelan9108]

There is a massive abandoned factory in abbeyleix co. Laois, Ireland

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the tip

[@haveyoueverwondered23]

Great vid as always. What's the clicking noise on the camera when you go into different rooms? what adjustment are you making?

[@caseydykes117]

Changing the lighting setting on the lenses I'm assuming

[@haveyoueverwondered23]

@@caseydykes117 yeah that's what I thought but I'm looking for what specifically they are adjusting

[@thomasanthonystockdale7900]

@@haveyoueverwondered23 My guess would be the ISO. Google search is your friend 👌

[@borisjohnson7553]

Depending on the condition the buildings should be saved but if They have fire damage or part of the building has collapsed then it should be demolished I mean what’s the point of saving something that will cost millions to repair when you could just build something better and quirky in its place that will serve a better purpose example a Community centre or flats But they should be sold off to private buyers so they could do things with them example turn them into homes

[@Urbandoned]

Nice one Boris, this one would be very hard to restore but at least they are trying.

[@vinceowen99]

This was the oldest Catholic School in the UK, the first since the Reformation, with a church designed by Pugin, the same guy who did the Houses of Parliament. It has been in private ownership for nearly 25 years and has gone to ruin... what a shame.

[@LankyRaffe]

You need to check out Derbyshire

[@Urbandoned]

Videos coming from there soon.

[@59patrickw]

their was something not right in the gym the bird song with decay creepy IF ONLY IF the stairs and walls could talk oh what story's you could hear happy and sad

[@davemagic69]

"That's a baff tub"

[@lonelymtn]

What if some of these properties could be reused as council housing complexes along with amenities such as a public gym, etc. this has been done in other countries with great success.

[@TheRocktalk]

I agree, it's a great idea. Local councils seem to lack the vision for that though.

[@kirstym2326]

Why do you usually not name the sites that you go to? Just wondering :))

[@Andy-From-England]

Yea do.some ruins amazing place i wonder if they did well in life and become famous

[@johnbennett226]

cool x

[@jasonsteeper6548]

How come you out when we are meant to be locked down just curious

[@Urbandoned]

This was filmed in Summer 2020 between the two lockdowns of that year :)

[@Nmila369]

Name of school??

[@vinceowen99]

Cotton College

[@chrishines6048]

My school in Devon closed a few years ago due to the school breaking the law and the staff sexually touching students and there's been talk recently that parts of the school will demolished and turned into residential properties

[@peterdoherty37]

Be nice if you found former pupils

[@brianhelsby5553]

There are lots of us still about, each room brought back memories, good and bad. But mainly good.